Hatters midfielder won’t enjoy his summer break

Mike Simmonds

Hatters midfielder Jonathan Smith isn’t looking forward to his summer break after a season of under-achievement with Luton Town.

The club were expected to be one of the main challengers for promotion this term after a host of big-name summer signings.

“I don’t like these seasons going by without promotions because that’s what I live for.”

Jonathan Smith

However, that never materialised, with the club’s play-off hopes ended recently, and Smith will now spend his time kicking his heels until the new campaign begins once more.

He said: “I’ll be itching to get back and to improve on what happened this season.

“I don’t like these seasons going by without promotions because that’s what I live for,

“I really want to get as many promotions as I can, so it’s a bit of a break but I’ll be working hard in the summer to come back even stronger ready to help the club.”

After seeing the Cobblers lift the League Two title at the weekend, Smith is now determined to be in their position this time next year.

He continued: “Northampton have been the best team this season, they deserve it.

“They’ve got good, experienced, strong players for this level, but we’ve got to take that motivation as that’s where we want to get to.

“They’ve been the best team and we’ll strive for that.”

Smith is confident that with new boss Nathan Jones at the helm, then Town have every chance of achieving their goals next term.

He said: “The gaffer will be good for this club, he’s learning about the level, and knows what’s needed.

“He’s an excellent coach, there’s no grey areas and you know what he wants from the team.

“He’s a clever guy, he’s learning about the level as well, and he’s going to do very well for Luton, there’s no doubt about that.”

One of the first things Jones will be doing in the summer is reducing the size of the squad to a more streamlined version.

When asked if he felt that was required, Smith said: “It’s hard for me to judge, and not up to me whether the club has too many players.

“I’ve just got to do my job, I believe I can offer something to the club and hopefully the gaffer can take that forward.”

Smith was back in the side once more at the weekend after missing three games with illness and was left ultimately frustrated by the outcome.

He said: “For him (Jones) to show faith and bring me in, that’s why I’m disappointed that we didn’t get the result.

“He’s put his faith in me to bring me into the team, and I was hoping to repay him with the result.”

On why be brought back Smith, Jones added: “Maybe I should have made changes last week as I said, but I just felt we need a freshness about us, we needed a bit more impetus and I felt we could have got that.

“I thought Jonathan did show why we had him in the side.

“His pressing, his energy and so on, was probably the brightest in the first half.”